Programme Overview

The benefits of undertaking a Programme of study with Education for Health
The Programmes we offer
The credit system
Duration & Cost
How to Apply
Programme dates now enrolling...

Further Programme Information:

The benefits of undertaking a Programme of study with Education for Health

Undertaking an individual module will enable you to develop skills in a specific area of clinical care. These modules are validated by the Open University at either degree level (HE Level 3), diploma level (HE Level 2) or Masters level (HE Level 4). Many students undertake several individual modules throughout their clinical career. Undertaking a programme of study allows you to bring these modules together in a cohesive manner resulting in you achieving a qualification that is recognised and valued by employers.

The modular design of our degree and diploma programmes ensures that there is flexibility for you to adapt your programme throughout your studies to allow you to study modules that are directly relevant to your ever-changing clinical role. Masters level modules are available only as part of one of the postgraduate or Masters programmes. Within these programmes you will have flexibility to chose optional modules which compliment your clinical role.

By successfully completing a programme of study with us you and your employers can be confident that you have developed skills which will be of significant benefit to you, your workplace and the patients you care for.

The Programmes we offer

Education for Health offer the following programmes, all of which are validated by the Open University. Clicking on the link for the programme that you are interested will provide you with more information about that programme:

The Diploma of Higher Education in Respiratory Care (DipHE Respiratory care)
The Diploma of Higher Education in Cardiovascular Disease Care (DipHE Cardiovascular Disease Care)
The Diploma of Higher Education in Chronic Disease Management (DipHE Chronic Disease Management)
The BSc (Honours) Degree in Respiratory Care (BSc (Hons) Respiratory Disease)
Postgraduate Certificate in Respiratory Care (PGCert Respiratory Care)
Postgraduate Diploma in Respiratory Care (PG Dip Respiratory Care)
MSc in Respiratory Care (MSc Respiratory Care)

The credit system

To successfully complete your programme you must obtain a number of credits. Each module that you undertake has been assigned a certain number of credits under the Credit Accumulation Transfer (CAT) scheme. Individual modules are usually assigned 15 or 30 CAT points at a designated academic level Diploma, degree or Masters.

The credit value and level have been determined by the Open University. This decision is based on a number of factors but includes the length of the module and the depth of knowledge required.

How many credits do I need?

Diploma level programmes - 240 CAT points
Degree level programmes - 360 CAT points
Postgraduate certificate - 60 CAT points at HE Level 4
Postgraduate diploma - 120 CAT points at HE Level 4
MSc in Respiratory Care - 180 CAT points at HE Level 4.

Students who enrol on any of our programmes must be a registered health professional. For our degree and diploma programmes your health professional qualification will automatically give you 120 credits towards your programme, leaving you only a further 120 to obtain for your diploma or 240 credits for your degree. These credits can be obtained from a combination of study and / or accreditation of prior study at either Education for Health or another institution.

For all diploma programmes a maximum of 60 credits can be transferred, which when added to the credits you receive for your Health Professional registration means that you will only have 60 credits left to study.

For degree programmes you can transfer a maximum of 120 credits from previous study, leaving only 120 credits to study to obtain your degree. If your nursing qualification was a nursing diploma, this will automatically exempt you from needing to undertake any diploma level modules, and you will need to complete only 120 credits at degree level.

For all postgraduate courses you can transfer up to 50% of the total number of credit points required, as long as your previous study is directly relevant to your programme.

All transfer of credits is considered on an individual basis. Please contact the relevant programme administrator for further information.

To obtain your credits through study you will need to complete a range of different modules. Please follow the link to the programme that you are interested in studying for more information about the modules that are included within your programme.

Duration & Cost

Undergraduate Degree and Diploma programmes:

For diploma programme you have a maximum of 5 years from the time of your registration to complete your programme. Most students take between 3 and 4 years. For the degree programme there is a maximum time of 8 years from the time of registration, but again, many students take less time than this.

The cost of completing a programme will vary for individual students depending on the combination of modules studied and the number of credits from prior study that you are entitled to use as exemptions.

Once you have decided which modules you would like to undertake you can calculate the cost of your programme using the following information.

Diploma Level Module	Degree Level Module
15 credits - £395	15 credits - £395
30 credits - £545	30 credits - £605

You are free to change the modules that you wish to study at any time during your programme, as long as you fulfil the requirements of the specific programme that you are studying.

Please note: There is an additional Open University registration fee of £320 for the degree programme and £300 for a diploma programme. This is a one-off fee that must be paid in full at the time of your application as this registers you as a student on an Open University programme.

Postgraduate programmes:

Our Post Graduate programme of study is designed to offer you flexibility in your learning. It is therefore possible for you to register purely for the Post Graduate Certificate or the Post Graduate Diploma. You can also register for the Post Graduate Diploma and step off at the Post Graduate Certificate, or register for the MSc, but step off at either the Postgraduate Certificate or post Graduate Diploma.

It usually takes 3 years to complete the full MSc programme, however it is possible to extend this to allow you to step off and back on again within a reasonable timeframe.

The cost of completing the Post Graduate programme is shown below:

UK or BFPO Students:
Post Graduate Certificate £1,950 (1 year)
Post Graduate Diploma £3,800 (2 years)
Full MSc Degree £4,995 (3 years)

Overseas Students:
Post Graduate Certificate £2,500 (1 year)
Post Graduate Diploma £5,000 (2 years)
Full MSc Degree £7,000 (3 years)

Please note: There is an additional Open University registration fee of £230 for any of the postgraduate programmes. This is a one-off fee that must be paid in full at the time of your application as this registers you as a student on an Open University programme.

How to Apply

Undergraduate Degree and Diploma programmes

Applicants for admission to the degree or diploma programmes must be a health professional with an interest in respiratory or cardiac disease or long-term conditions.

There are no requirements for previous levels of formal academic study but if you have not studied for a period of time we advise you to contact us prior to enrolling for a programme.

For further information please contact:
Undergraduate Programmes Administrator: Ellen McCutcheon
tel: +44 (0)1926 838973
Email General Enquiries

Please forward the relevant completed Application Form along with your payment to:

Ellen McCutcheon
Undergraduate Programmes Administrator
Education for Health
10 Church Street
Warwick
CV34 4AB

Post graduate programmes

Applicants for admission to the programme must normally be one of the following:

A health professional with a special interest in respiratory disease
A graduate with a relevant honours degree (e.g. clinical science) from a recognised UK degree awarding body
Holder of a relevant postgraduate certificate or diploma

Other applicants who do not meet these criteria must be able to demonstrate their ability to study at masters’ level.

For further information please contact:
Msc Programme Administrator: Clare Blenkinsop
tel: +44 (0)1926 836842
Email General Enquiries

Please forward the relevant completed Application Form along with your payment to:

Clare Blenkinsop
MSc Programme Administrator
Education for Health
10 Church Street
Warwick
CV34 4AB.

Diploma of Higher Education in Respiratory Care

The Diploma in Higher Education in Respiratory Care is a flexible programme for health professionals working in the respiratory field. It has been designed to enable students to study for modules which are directly relevant to their workplace, and to offer flexibility to adapt to changes in their role during their studies.

The programme is suitable for practitioners with an interest in developing their skills and knowledge base in respiratory care. By completing the diploma programme graduates will be able to provide enhanced respiratory care in line with National Guidelines. The practical focus of the training will ensure that knowledge and skills developed throughout the programme are directly transferable to the clinical setting, having a positive impact on patient outcomes.

Total number of credits required: 240
Total credits from health professional registration: 120
Total number of credits to be obtained through study: 120

Compulsory module(s)	None

Optional modules	Academic level	Credit points
Allergy in Practice	HE Level 2	15
Asthma	HE Level 2	30
COPD	HE Level 2	30
Paediatric Asthma	HE Level 2	30
Paediatric Respiratory Disease	HE Level 2	30
Principles of Managing Long Term Conditions	HE Level 2	30
Smoking Cessation	HE Level 2	15
Spirometry for Practice	HE Level 2	15
Tuberculosis	HE Level 2	15
Allergy	HE Level 3	30
Asthma in Focus	HE Level 3	30
Cardio-respiratory Symptoms: assessment & diagnosis	HE Level 3	30
Cardio-respiratory Symptoms: management & palliative care	HE Level 3	30
COPD	HE Level 3	30
Evidence Based Healthcare	HE Level 3	30
Pulmonary Rehabilitation	HE Level 3	15
Respiratory Therapeutics	HE Level 3	15

Although the diploma in respiratory care programme offers you the flexibility to select any respiratory focussed module, you are advised to focus on diploma level (HE Level 2) modules as the academic level of these modules is appropriate to diploma level study.

Please also be aware that the organisation is continually adding and developing its portfolio of modules. Whilst this list is correct as you start your programme of study, there may be changes in the future. Please keep checking our website for details and contact your programme leader if you would like to include modules which are not on the list above into your diploma programme.

Diploma of Higher Education in Cardiovascular Disease Care

The Diploma in Higher Education in Cardiovascular Disease Care is a flexible programme for health professionals working in the cardiovascular field. It has been designed to enable students to study for modules which are directly relevant to their workplace, and to offer flexibility to adapt to changes in their role during their studies.

The programme is suitable for practitioners with an interest in developing their skills and knowledge base in the management of cardiovascular disease. By completing the diploma programme graduates will be able to provide enhanced cardiovascular disease care in line with National Guidelines. The practical focus of the training will ensure that knowledge and skills developed throughout the programme are directly transferable to the clinical setting, having a positive impact on patient outcomes.

Total number of credits required: 240
Total credits from health professional registration: 120
Total number of credits to be obtained through study: 120

Compulsory module(s)	Academic Level	Credit points

Coronary Heart Disease

HE Level 2

Optional modules	Academic level	Credit points
Atrial Fibrillation	HE Level 2	15
CVD Risk Assessment	HE Level 2	30
Diabetes as a Cardiovascular Disease	HE Level 2	30
Heart Failure	HE Level 2	30
Hypertension	HE Level 2	15
Principles of Managing Long Term Conditions	HE Level 2	30
Smoking Cessation	HE Level 2	15
Cardio-respiratory Symptoms: assessment & diagnosis	HE Level 3	30
Cardio-respiratory Symptoms: management & palliative care	HE Level 3	30

Although the diploma in Cardiovascular disease care programme offers you the flexibility to select any cardiovascular focussed module, you are advised to focus on diploma level (HE Level 2) modules as the academic level of these modules is appropriate to diploma level study. The compulsory module should usually be the first module that you study as the content of this module underpins the content of many other modules. Please contact your programme leader if you wish to commence other modules first.

Diploma of Higher Education in Chronic Disease Management

Education Alliance for Long Term Conditions
The Education Alliance for Long Term Conditions was set up as a collaboration between the National Respiratory Training Centre (now Education for Health), Heartsave and Warwick Diabetes Care. Since the Alliance was set up in 2004 the National Respiratory Training Centre and Heartsave have merged to form Education for Health. Working together, the Education Alliance have launched the Diploma in Higher Education in Chronic Disease Management Programme.

Management is a flexible programme for health professionals working with patients with long-term illnesses. It has been designed to enable students to study for modules which are directly relevant to their workplace, and to offer flexibility to adapt to changes in their role during their studies.

The programme is suitable for practitioners with an interest in developing their skills and knowledge base in managing long-term conditions. By completing the diploma programme graduates will be able to provide enhanced care in line with National Guidelines. The practical focus of the training will ensure that knowledge and skills developed throughout the programme are directly transferable to the clinical setting, having a positive impact on patient outcomes.

Total number of credits required: 240
Total credits from health professional registration: 120
Total number of credits to be obtained through study: 120

Compulsory module(s)	Academic Level	Credit points

Principles of Managing Long Term Conditions

HE Level 2

The remaining 90 credits are obtained from completing a combination of the optional modules shown below. For this particular diploma programme you must include at least one module from two of the three streams shown below:

Optional Modules
Stream 1 - Respiratory	Stream 2 - Cardiovascular	Stream 3 - Diabetes
Asthma (HE Level 2) 30 credits	Heart Failure (HE Level 2) 30 credits	Diabetes as a Cardiovascular Disease (HE Level 2) 30 credits*
COPD (HE Level 2) 30 credits	Coronary Heart Disease (HE Level 2) 30 credits
Smoking Cessation (HE Level 2) 15 credits	Atrial Fibrillation (HE Level 2) 15 credits	Diabetes (Warwick Diabetes module) (HE Level 2) 30 credits*
Spirometry for Practice (HE Level 2) 15 credits	Cardio-respiratory Symptoms: management & palliative care (HE Level 3) 30 credits
Asthma (HE Level 3) 30 credits	Stroke (HE Level 2) 30 credits
COPD (HE Level 3) 30 credits	Hypertension (HE Level 2) 15 credits

*For the purposes of the diploma programme credit points can only be included from one of these two modules.

Although the diploma in Chronic Disease Management programme offers you the flexibility to select any of the above modules (within the regulations set out above), you are advised to focus on diploma level (HE Level 2) modules as the academic level of these modules is appropriate to diploma level study. The compulsory module should usually be the first module that you study as the content of this module underpins the content of many other modules. Please contact your programme leader if you wish to commence other modules first.

BSc (Hons) in Respiratory Care

The BSc (Hons) in Respiratory Care is a flexible programme for health professionals working in the respiratory field. It has been designed to enable students to study for modules which are directly relevant to their workplace, and to offer flexibility to adapt to changes in their role during their studies.

The programme is suitable for practitioners with an interest and responsibility for developing and providing respiratory services. By completing the BSc programme graduates will be able to provide high quality respiratory care in line with National Guidelines. The practical focus of the training will ensure that knowledge and skills developed throughout the programme are directly transferable to the clinical setting, having a positive impact on patient outcomes.

Total number of credits required: 360
Total credits from health professional registration: 120
Total number of credits to be obtained through study: 240

Compulsory module(s)	Academic Level	Credit points

Evidence Based Healthcare	HE Level 3	30
Degree Project	HE Level 3	30

Optional modules	Academic level	Credit points

Allergy in Practice	HE Level 2	15
Asthma	HE Level 2	30
COPD	HE Level 2	30
Paediatric Asthma	HE Level 2	30
Paediatric Respiratory Disease	HE Level 2	30
Principles of Managing Long Term Conditions	HE Level 2	30
Smoking Cessation	HE Level 2	15
Spirometry for Practice	HE Level 2	15
Tuberculosis	HE Level 2	15
Allergy	HE Level 3	30
Asthma in Focus	HE Level 3	30
Cardio-respiratory Symptoms: assessment & diagnosis	HE Level 3	30
Cardio-respiratory Symptoms: management & palliative care	HE Level 3	30
COPD	HE Level 3	30
Pulmonary Rehabilitation	HE Level 3	15
Respiratory Therapeutics	HE Level 3	15

Although the degree in respiratory care programme offers you the flexibility to select any respiratory focussed module, you must ensure that at least 120 of your credits are obtained from HE Level 3 Degree level) modules.

Masters Level: Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and MSc in Respiratory Care

The MSc in Respiratory Care is a flexible programme for health professionals working in the respiratory field. It has been designed to enable students to study for either a Post Graduate Certificate, Post Graduate Diploma or a full MSc in Respiratory Care. The programme includes compulsory modules in respiratory disease and research methodology as well as a number of option modules including education, palliative care, global perspectives, non-pharmacological management and psychosocial factors of respiratory care.

The programme is suitable for practitioners with a specialist interest in respiratory services and will enable them to provide high quality respiratory care in line with National Guidelines. It will develop leaders in respiratory care, able to influence change and educate others to drive the respiratory agenda forward.

Year 1:

Compulsory module	Advanced Respiratory Management (45 credits)

Optional modules to complete one of the following in Year 1:

Education to influence practice (15 credits)

Global perspectives in Respiratory Care (15 credits)

Non-pharmacological management of respiratory disease (15 credits)

Palliative care in end stage respiratory disease (15 credits)

Psychological factors of respiratory disease: impact on patient management (15 credits)

Year 2:

Compulsory module	Advanced Respiratory Management (15 credits) Research in Practice (30 credits)

Optional modules to complete one of the following in Year 2:

Education to influence practice (15 credits)

Global perspectives in Respiratory Care (15 credits)

Non-pharmacological management of respiratory disease (15 credits)

Palliative care in end stage respiratory disease (15 credits)

Psychological factors of respiratory disease: impact on patient management (15 credits)

Year 3:

Compulsory module	Individual project (60 credits)

You have the flexibility to step off the programme at the end of year 1 or year 2 and you will be awarded the appropriate qualification.
All study days for the MSc are held in Warwick.

Students for whom English is not their first language need to provide proof of their proficiency in the English Language, such as IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 5.5 together with proof of their identity.

View our MSc programme page for further details...